Electrical Connector Spring Member Abutting Metal Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical connectors for PCBs that connect to metal plates via rivets complicate assembly processes and increase manufacturing costs due to the need for rivet installation and production.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with a tongue plate, metal shell, and a spring member with deflectable fingers and resisting portions that securely abut against the metal plate for electrical connection, eliminating the need for rivets and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rivet is used to connect the shell to the metal plate, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the assembly process becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rivet from the connection system entirely. Instead of using a separate fastening component (rivet), the shell itself is designed with an integrated resilient portion that directly contacts the metal plate to establish both mechanical and electrical connection, eliminating the need for rivet installation
Solution Approach 2:
The shell's resilient portion serves dual functions: it provides both the mechanical attachment to the metal plate and the electrical connection path. The resilient portion's elasticity enables it to self-adjust and maintain reliable contact without requiring additional fastening components or complex assembly steps
2Reliability
If a rivet is used to connect the shell to the metal plate, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the manufacturing cost increases due to rivet production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function and mechanical fastening function into a single integrated structure - the resilient portion of the shell. This eliminates the need for separate rivet components and their associated production costs, while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the metal plate
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a simplified assembly process and reduced manufacturing costs by establishing a secure electrical connection to the metal plate without rivets, enhancing the connector's ease of use and production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient resisting portion to abut against the metal plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector for abutting against a metal plate, comprises an insulative housing defining a main body and a tongue plate extending forwardly from the main body, a plurality of terminals retained in the main body and extending into the tongue plate, a metal shell shielding the insulative housing and comprising an upper wall, a pair of side walls extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the upper wall, and a bottom wall in parallel with the upper wall, and a spring member defining a securing portion fixed to the shell and a resilient resisting portion abutting against the metal plate. The securing portion defines a ceiling plate portion shielding the fingers on the upper wall, and a pair of side plate portions extending downwardly from two lateral sides of the ceiling plate portion and shielding the fingers on the respective side walls.